In this thoughtful conversation, Anu is joined by leadership coach and professional speaker Ron Rael, a fellow member of the National Speakers Association, to explore what leadership really looks like.

Together, they unpack the difference between loud leadership and effective leadership, the role of self-awareness and accountability, and why presence matters more than perfection in today's complex environments.

Drawing from their work with leaders, teams, and organizations, Anu and Ron reflect on the human side of leadership—how people grow, resist change, avoid responsibility, and ultimately choose whether or not to lead.

This episode is a reflective dialogue for developing and future leaders, empowered mentors, coaches, speakers, and anyone seeking real solutions.

Rather than offering quick fixes, this reflective conversation invites listeners to pause, notice patterns, and consider how leadership shows up in everyday choices.

Key themes include:

• Leadership without ego or performance

• Accountability versus avoidance

• The importance of presence and intentional action

• Coaching as a leadership practice

• What it really means to influence others

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Learn more about Ron Rael:

Ron Rael is a breath of fresh air in the leadership development space. He is known as the Leadership Provocateur who sparks a passion for growth in new and experienced leaders with his bold, sometimes irreverent, yet always insightful approach. With 15 acclaimed books on leadership, Ron has become one of the nation's leading authorities on developing and nurturing emerging leaders.

With over 40 years as a professional leadership presenter and consultant, Ron has coached more than 14,000 leaders across the US and Canada. His clients range from Fortune 500 giants like Starbucks and Microsoft to innovative mid-sized companies and ambitious startups result in more than 50 years of business leadership experience.

Ron's cutting-edge training techniques, including his use of games for leadership development, have made his teachings not just impactful, but unforgettable.

Ron is the creator of the Future Leader System™, a groundbreaking approach that provides fast-growing corporations with a competitive edge through nurturing a deep bench of capable, competent, and confident leaders. He has earned a reputation for helping organizations cultivate leaders who are not only confident and competent but also ethically and emotionally capable.

Colleagues describe him as "the leadership expert who flies under the radar," but those who know him recognize the profound impact he has on leaders and organizations alike.

Ron says, "A presentation is a waste of time if the attendee does not get several 'AHA' moments or cannot use the information immediately. I am usually irreverent, sometimes satirical, and always insightful, and provocative! My unique presentation style reaches employees at all levels. I will deliver hands-on skills which produce immediate results for your organization. My delivery style and leading-edge content results in new-found wisdom the participants can use to become more capable leaders."

Catch up with Ron here:

• RonRael.com
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

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#LeadershipPodcast #HumanCenteredLeadership #IntentionalLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #ProfessionalSpeakers #NationalSpeakersAssociation #LeadershipDevelopment #PresenceOverPerformance

In this episode of Mindful Momentum: Leadership Podcast, host Anu Arora reconnects with her first mentor, Patrick Copeland, now a visionary technology leader whose career spans Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Zendesk, and Moloco.

Together, they explore what it means to lead with authenticity, courage, and compassion in a rapidly evolving AI-driven world.

Patrick shares timeless lessons from his own leadership journey — how mentorship builds capability, why creativity fuels innovation, and how self-reflection unlocks resilience.

He discusses the importance of aligning personal strengths with organizational needs, the evolving nature of feedback and career growth, and why fluency in AI is today's most critical leadership skill.

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Learn more about Patrick Copeland:

Patrick is a technology and product innovation leader who thrives at the intersection of engineering, design, and business strategy. Over a career spanning Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Zendesk, and now Moloco, he has helped shape industry-defining products and billion-dollar businesses while leading global teams through complex transitions.

Patrick's leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, authenticity, and empowerment. He believes great products — and great teams — are built through deep listening, thoughtful iteration, and a balance of innovation with real-world usability.

Known for his "human-centered" approach to technology, Patrick emphasizes creativity, mentorship, and emotional intelligence as the foundations of enduring success.

Beyond his executive roles, Patrick is also an artist, writer, and thinker whose reflections on happiness, leadership, and creativity have inspired thousands worldwide. Connect with him on LinkedIn or AspiringRunwayModel.com.

In this powerful episode, Anu Arora speaks with Anna Liotta, keynote speaker, generational intelligence expert, and author of Vagus Nerve Reset: Decoded. Together, they explore how understanding and regulating the vagus nerve—the body's "whisper network" between brain and being—can transform the way we lead and live.

Anna shares personal stories, practical techniques like humming and the "butterfly tap," and insights into how generational differences shape our nervous systems and leadership styles. Learn how to pause, notice, and choose—so you can move from reactivity to calm creativity.

🎁 Read Vagus Nerve Reset, Decoded and discover how to reset your system, one mindful breath at a time.

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Learn more about Anna Liotta:

Anna Liotta is a pioneering voice in generational intelligence and nervous-system resilience, with over two decades of study in communication and integrative leadership. She helps leaders calm their nervous systems, connect across generations, and build workplaces where high performance and humanity thrive together.

Connect: www.AnnaLiotta.com

📗 Book: Vagus Nerve Reset Decoded

Instagram: @AnnaLiotta.speaker

LinkedIn: Anna Liotta

In this heartfelt episode, Anu Arora speaks with Diane Woodford, a retired critical care nurse, author of After Care, and co-host of Love Drops Podcast about what it means to embody love in action. Diane reveals how her husband, Charles experienced a lengthy, critical illness that became a turning point and a teacher for both of them. Together, these One Love Ambassadors learned about the power of peace, presence, and the importance of choosing joy even in chaos. In this light-hearted, mindfulness-focused conversation, Anu and Diane explore how laughter, remembrance, and resilience can help us stay afloat during life's storms.

***Bonus: Diane offers listeners a free, 40-day meditation series: Pause. Love. Reset.

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More about Diane Woodford:

Diane Woodford is a retired critical healthcare professional and educator. She is also a published author, speaker, philanthropist, co-host of Love Drops Podcast and world traveler. With a deep commitment to serving humanity, Diane focuses on mentoring young women and raising the energy wherever she goes. Diane is currently on a remarkable journey, embodying love in action as One Love Ambassador spreading love around the globe.

https://www.paths2transformation.com

http://www.youtube.com/@lovedropspodcast

https://boldjourney.com/an-inspired-chat-with-diane-woodford-highlight/

https://www.paths2transformation.com/after-care

What if the path to real change requires not just allies - but adversaries too?

In this episode of the Mindful Momentum: Leadership Podcast, host Anu Arora sits down with Heather Shafter - strategic operations leader, founder of 3P Allies, speaker, and co-author of Life of Libby: Chasing Peace and Justice with Humor, Guts, and Passion.

Heather shares powerful lessons learned from co-writing the life story of activist Libby Frank and introduces her Sacred Framework for creating meaningful change.

Together, they explore:

• Why both allies and adversaries are essential for progress

• How to move from overwhelm to strategic action

• The surprising power of curiosity and listening to bridge divides

This conversation is a timely reminder that deeper listening, not louder shouting, is what sparks transformation.

👉 Discover how you can lead with compassion, courage, and connection.

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More about Heather Shafter:

Heather Shafter is on a mission to inspire and empower people to create positive change. She is co-author of the book Life of Libby: Chasing Peace and Justice with Humor, Guts, and Passion written with and about Libby Frank, a lifelong peace and justice activist. Heather's Chasing Peace & Justice podcast and blog continue to highlight the work of people taking action for change.

She founded 3P Allies to move missions forward through public speaking and consulting. Heather partners with purpose-driven leaders to clarify priorities and apply a proven process to achieve them. She is also the Chief Operating Officer of BRODY Professional Development, a consulting company that develops leadership communication through training and coaching

What if discomfort isn't something to avoid -- but instead a feedback indicator?

In this episode, Anu Arora speaks with Aaron Craig Mitchell, former Netflix executive, global people leader, and now coach helping leaders build resilience in uncertain times. Aaron shares how being "pushed out of the plane" from Netflix led to one of the most transformative chapters of his life.

Together, they explore:

• Why discomfort often signals growth, not dysfunction

• The difference between endurance and resilience in leadership

• How freedom and authenticity can open doors (while closing the wrong ones)

• Practical strategies for building inner strength — from body-based practices to cognitive shifts and connection-based tools

• Why vulnerability is not weakness, but a filter for finding the right communities and opportunities

Aaron reminds us that discomfort is not the enemy. It's feedback - it's an invitation to grow, adapt, and lead with courage.

👉 Follow Aaron on LinkedIn for his "Daily Dose of Discomfort" tips.

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More about Aaron Craig Mitchell:

Aaron is an LA based Executive Coach, Advisor and Keynote Speaker with nearly 20 years of experience across various industries. He is currently the CEO of Aaron Craig Mitchell Enterprises, LLC, a strategic advisory and executive coaching business. He was recently the Head of HR for Netflix Animation, one of the largest and fastest growing animation studios in history. Prior to that, he spent his career as a leader in Talent Acquisition across various geographies, industries and companies.

Aaron is an ICF certified Executive, Leadership and Career coach. He earned his MBA from Harvard Business School, and BBA from Temple University. He serves on several non-profit and advisory boards.

What does it mean to really connect -- on stage or even in the supermarket?

In this episode of the Mindful Momentum: Leadership Podcast, host Anu Arora sits down with educator, musician, and dynamic keynote speaker Jason Gordon (JGo) to explore the art of authentic connection in a world that all too often pulls us apart.

From a small act of kindness in a grocery line to the energy exchange between performer and audience, JGo shares stories that reveal how presence, curiosity, and compassion can help transform the way we lead, love, and even live with one another in community.

Together, Anu and JGo unpack:

✨ Why slowing down is the secret to deeper relationships
✨ How technology is impacting human connection
✨ The role of music, affirmations, and belonging in building trust
✨ Why asking for help is one of the most courageous acts of leadership

This conversation is equal parts heartfelt and practical. Together Anu and JGo remind us that connection isn't just nice-to-have, it's a survival skill in this fast-changing world. Join us as we unpack it!

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More about JGo:

JGo Gordon is a captivating storyteller and dynamic speaker who draws upon a rich tapestry of experiences as an educator, entrepreneur, entertainer, and explorer. With degrees from Yale and Columbia Universities, JGo's deep understanding of learning and human development is informed by years spent as a middle and high school teacher, a middle school principal, and as a Senior Learning Strategist and Director of Content in the ed-tech sector. This diverse background provides a unique lens through which JGo crafts inspirational learning environments for audiences of all kinds.

As the co-founder of Written Out Loud, an entrepreneurial venture focused on amplifying voices and fostering connection through storytelling, JGo brings a practical and innovative spirit to every engagement. Beyond the classroom and boardroom, JGo has also graced prestigious stages such as the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, demonstrating a natural ability to connect and engage with audiences on a profound level. With a deep appreciation for human connection, JGo strives to cultivate and nurture authentic spaces of belonging, as he shares insightful perspectives and actionable takeaways that empower individuals and organizations to thrive.

As an educator, JGo has taught Social Studies, Language Arts, Economics, Music, Storytelling, Computer Science, Theater, and Theory of Knowledge in multiple states and countries. JGo graduated from Yale with a B.A. in Anthropology and African & African American Studies, went on to get his masters in Educational Leadership from Columbia University's Teachers College, and has made every effort to learn from as many people and experiences as possible along the way.